Bullet Train Explosion (2025) is a high-stakes Japanese action thriller directed by Shinji Higuchi, known for his work on Shin Godzilla. This film serves as a modern sequel to the 1975 classic The Bullet Train, which itself inspired Hollywood’s Speed (1994). Released globally on Netflix on April 23, 2025, the movie combines intense suspense with social commentary, set against the backdrop of Japan’s iconic Shinkansen system.
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The film centers on Hayabusa No. 60, a high-speed bullet train traveling from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo. Mid-journey, authorities receive a chilling threat: a bomb has been planted on the train, set to detonate if the speed drops below 100 km/h. The anonymous bomber demands a ransom of ¥100 billion, thrusting the train’s crew and passengers into a race against time.
Leading the onboard efforts is Kazuya Takaichi (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi), the dedicated head manager of Hayabusa 60. He is supported by rookie assistant Keiji Fujii (Kanata Hosoda) and driver Chika Matsumoto (Non). The passenger list includes a diverse mix: politician Yuko Kagami (Machiko Ono), influencer Mitsuru Todoroki (Jun Kaname), high school student Yuzuki Onodera (Hana Toyoshima), and others, each bringing their own dynamics to the unfolding crisis.
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As the train hurtles towards Tokyo, external teams, including train dispatch general manager Yuichi Kasagi (Takumi Saitoh) and detective Yoshiharu Kawagoe (Kenji Iwaya), scramble to identify the bomber and devise a rescue plan. The film delves into the moral dilemmas faced by officials, weighing the lives onboard against the precedent of negotiating with terrorists.
Cast: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Kanata Hosoda, Non, Jun Kaname, Machiko Ono
Director: Shinji Higuchi
Runtime: 134 minutes
Watch trailer here
